Tribune Take: Homosexuality, the great taboo in Pakistan
The Take will feature in-depth interviews and analysis with editors and reporters who are covering the major stories, exploring front page events and major ledes. The news analysis covers the way The Express Tribune examines a story, how we cover it and why.
Episode 1: The homosexuality debate
In our first episode we take a look at the controversial issue of homosexuality in Pakistan, which is also the upcoming cover story of our Sunday T magazine.
Zarrar Khuhro, editor T-Magazine, offers his analysis on what coming out of the closet (and the dangers of such an act), means for Pakistani homosexuals. In Khuhro's opinion, the prevailing social climate in the country leaves little room for such plurality of sexual expression.
In the face of such social stigma, Tribune blogs desk head, Faria Syed discusses the impact anonymous blogs have on openly discussing gay rights in Pakistan.
Watch episode one here, or click the video thumbnail in the right hand column.
COMMENTS (46)
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@Mussarat Starting from Greek and Macedonian society, noted Greek Philosopher Aristotle and his desciple Alexander The Great were both homesexual. Julias Caesar, First US President Abraham Lincon known to have shared bed with Joshua Speed in 1926. Wow - couldnt figure out which of these guys slept with Joshua Speed - but moot point since they were all dead by 1926. @OhLaLa For those who consider it a human right, please keep this mind just because the West declared it a right some 40 years ago, doesn’t mean it has to be imposed on the rest of us, majority of us who absolutely don’t accept it on religious, cultural, scientific and societal grounds (not just Muslims, but Christians and other communities too). Oops - you missed out economic, ergonomical, taxonomic, and atmospheric grounds! No one is imposing homosexuality my friend, relax. @SaadMoiin For Goodness Sake, let Pakistan be a Muslim state and discuss anything which comes inside circle of Islam and natural. Homosexuality is un-natural and non islamic. The problem is that anything which is ignored and swept under the carpet does not disappear, it just decays and smells really bad - example the significant cases of male prostitution (of children) and paedophilia which you guys choose to ignore. Kudos!
@Ali Tanoli,: same way there are so many things we can worry about (not about gays or lesbians), then why the hell we punish some one who do some thing inside four walls not disturbing others...
Pakistani media has commented very openly and maturely on homosexuality in geo tv's drama serial "Zip Bus Chup Raho.." Higher authorities banned the serial but Geo continued to run on a different day. Must see the following link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mXStap7PuY&feature=related
@Saad Moiin:
I agree with you Saad Moin. None are prepared to listen to us. Everything should be discussed in line with the Holy Religious Books, the Holy Quran and the Bible, that also negates homesexuality in harshest terms.
Mussarat
isn't this a reason enough that it is prohibited in ISLAM and thats why it cannot be allowed.
@MarkH: Dont judge us if you dont know us. Leave the matters of our country for us to discuss. We are not narrow-minded. Its just you people who are too liberal and will allow anything whether its good or bad. We have our morals and values. You dont understand them and we dont expect you to.
@Qasim Muneer: People are not scared to 'Discuss' it but they are scared about the inevitable blood bath in its reply ... And you won't be called martyr if you give your life for this but an evil who deserved termination
@ Gays and supporters For those who consider it a human right, please keep this mind just because the West declared it a right some 40 years ago, doesn't mean it has to be imposed on the rest of us, majority of us who absolutely don't accept it on religious, cultural, scientific and societal grounds (not just Muslims, but Christians and other communities too). As for the argument that you consider this act natural, well even paedophilia and bestiality has been proved through science and psychology to inherently exist in some humans, should we give them rights too. Get out of your fantasy land, accept the reality for your own good and stop imposing unrealistic rights on the rest of us.
@TightChuddi: Actually, India has not legalised gay unions, only consensual adult homosexual relations have been decriminalized. There is a huge difference between legalization and decriminalization. Only recently, a court in Ghaziabad (Delhi) have recognized a marriage between two women and given them police protection against their parents. But this also is on a special case basis. But anyways, I fully support GAY MARRIAGE. I think its a human right, although I am straight.
ET is at a seriously risk of damaging its credibility and alienating readers and confirming the 'supicious so called American PR machine stereotypes' that people have about them (wrongly). Despite doing such excellent reports and features, every now and then ET either resorts to unnecessarily sensationalist headlines or features extremely biased reporting groups/people that appear to be religious/conservative on one hand and then on the other hand hyper-publicises issues that are completely alien and to mention unlawful as per the laws of Pakistan. Trust me ET, hyper-reporting on gay rights will in no way serve to even remotely change attitudes and opinions about gays in this country. If anything you are going only to going to antagonize people further and put others at risk.
Seems like ET is trying to gauge response and at the same time push ultra liberal agenda. Advise to ET, pls dont push it.......... seriously . Consider what the majority of people are like in Pakistan.
I am gay and I admit it openly to my friend's. This topic needs to be discussed, as before I came out, all I could imagine was a life in a cage. When I was in a medical school in Karachi, I realized for the first time that it is not a medical problem, but a reality. Kudos ET!! Omair Shakil, Defence, Lahore
I am just wondering why the heck ET is so interesting in picking such controversial topics.
For Goodness Sake, let Pakistan be a Muslim state and discuss anything which comes inside circle of Islam and natural. Homosexuality is un-natural and non islamic. Remember what happened to nation of Hazrat Loot (A.S). Please do not even discuss such topics to give courage to such people, who can not have control on their selves. Those who are proud to be Gays, May Allah (The one and greatest) grant them hidayath and show them what we pray for, in opening surah of Al-Quran.
There is law and punishment for sodomy act in Islamic world. But for women lesbian act has no law or punishment. This is discrimination between genders.
homosexuality has greater pervalance in countries like Pakistan where sex segrigation and hijab exist. denying it is stupidity.
Wow. I knew you guys were closed minded, but the way you actually believe some of these things in regard to how someone actually ends up as a homosexual is... I almost feel sorry for you. You must live in a very scary world of your own design.
Id rather be more interested in heterosexuality: the great taboo. Sexuality per se goes unacknowledged.
And yea as some people have said; there are genuine homesexuals and then there are those whose sense-experiences have only consisted of, nay been dominated by, same sex impressions. This and the simultaneous ease of engaging in sexual activity with the same sex would explain alot of the "shararat":P Keep your society segregated and go "hee,hee and ha ha" over such issues, not to mention with each other, and this will persist and continue.
Pakistan is the third most dangerous country for women to live in - so perhaps it may actually be better to deal with this prevalent issue before even attempting to tackle homosexuality. Homosexuals consist of a tiny minority in any population, though I'm not suggesting that this issue should be ignored, but I think in the current climate it's futile to even discuss the implications of being an open homosexual in a conservative country like Pakistan.
Also, people saying the homosexuality can be 'promoted' need a reality check. People don't choose to be gay, same as people don't choose to be straight!
Al-Mighty Alla has forbidden such acts.
It was due to homosexuality between an aged man and a teen age boy who were married in the northern part of Pakistan after which a major earthquake came in the year 2005.
To avoid the wrath of Al-Mighty Allah, such acts if are taking place in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan should some to an at once.
The government should legislate a law under which homosexuality should be completely banned and severe punishment should be awarded to homosexual people.
We must stop this nonsense in Pakistan before it spread like a cancer in the country.
@ Ibn Waraq, Because its against the nature.
plz bring up this topic when pakistan can provide basic needs to its population...............honestly this is the problem of the ultra rich, i have never heard of a poor homosexual in pakistan......most poor in pakistan who do get involved in homosexual activity is due to lack of availability of women or access to marriage
@Tanoli, what a dumb thing to say
Why the hype always around homosexual men? If the authors of the article are liberal and clarified, then they should include in this discussion homosexual women(Lesbians) as well. If they lack a representative qualitative survey, that does not mean that Lesbians don´t exist in Pakistan! Freedom of sexual behaviour applies for both the genders! In a repressive society like Pakistan, where religious mania and medieval age stale laws dictate the formation of the human personality, this topic is just a blind activism....because, The apple doesn't fall far from the tree!
This issue will be a massive hit in Bannu ..
@Ali Tanoli,: Why, you hate homosexuals?
why the hell NOT this topic??? Are you scared to discuss it? I am openly gay and i WANT my problems to publicised... We gays DO live in pakistan as well so why the hell not this topic? Kudos tribune!!!
Homosexuality is a human right....Bravo ET!!!
There are other things to highlight in this society.
Dear Editors please don't act like 'wanna be' liberals.
Pakistan is a country where there is very less exposure of girls with guys so homosexuality is becoming common mean of sexual satisfaction which is very alarming thing it has many hazards as well and people are not aware of them. people should be educated about sexually transmitted diseases and its bad effects on social and individual lives to eradicate this immoral act.
This is a very important topic and must be discussed openly. we should learn from india who have legalised gay unions and given them equal rights
Why the hell is Express Tribune so obsessed with Homosexuals in Pakistan?? Is it the only topic left to discuss here? Have issues like poverty, child abuse, forced marriages all vanished from Pakistan??
Brilliant! We need more talk on sexual behavior and pluralism...
I am all for freedom of speech, but for the love of God homosexuality does not equal to being liberal. It is against the norms of nature. As long as homosexuals dont harm any one and do what ever they want to do in their private homes its their business but highlighting this issue again and again is in bad taste.
i don't understand why must people be so against the whole homosexual thing what people do in their own homes is none of anyone's concern ,we don't see rallies for men who beat up their wives ,or mulvi's and other dumbheads who rape kids,won't pay for their children's education but won't regret going to a mujra and blowing money off! so why be gay is such an issue and please dragging religion in this debate is like saying i'd do booze,rape,sood,infedilty etc etc i'll do anything and everything that is forbidden but if someone else is a homosexual i'll have a fit! leave other people alone !
For the one chosen the topic, for god sake! The name of Pakistan has been taken in the name of Kalmah! Yet, such hilarious, unwanted, Mutnafir and disgraced topics are becoming more and more a part of our discussions these days! Shame for you and for us to even think,discuss and to so called analyze such issues! More over, this STORY has been a part of history as one of the preacher of ALLAH, Hazrat Loot (A.S) was sent to a nation fell prey to such a sin. Tragically its been happening within us and our educated people yet discussing is being made regarding "NEED ROOM?"
homosexuality in Pakistan is because of desperation ........ its not because they feel attracted towards same sex but its because opposite sex is not available to them ...
There are so many other thing to do why u choose this topic (Zamanay me our bi he ghum